Pure Pet Food's products are proving to be an instant hit wherever they're sold, and the success story is set to continue at the independently-run Robinson’s Pet Store in Newcastle's Grainger Market as it becomes the latest outlet to stock the unique range.

Nick Robinson, whose shop will start selling the products in July, said: “Owners are taking a real interest in what they feed their pets now and are actively looking for low-processed foods with higher quality ingredients, which makes Pure a great fit for those looking for a convenient alternative to raw or home-cooked meals for their dog.”

As revealed by Pet Trade Xtra in May, friends Daniel Eha and Mathew Cockroft have already achieved success with their new and innovative products. (To read the story click on the link at the bottom of this story).

“It’s incredibly important to us that we work with pet specialist stores like Robinson’s," said Mathew.

“The expertise and knowledge they provide to their customers is absolutely vital for a product like ours, you simply wouldn’t get that if our food was sat on a shelf in one of the bigger supermarkets."

The duo hope to achieve a turnover of around £200,000 for their first year, but aim to be a global brand over the next five years.

“Working with independents like Robinson’s is key to our success as staff are keen to educate people on natural foods," added Mathew. "We currently work from a Human Grade factory in West Yorkshire, but we will be looking to take on staff as the company grows.

“We are looking to expand with a new range of treats in the future, and we could also look at manufacturing a line of cat food."

Award winning Scampers in Cambridgeshire was the first pet store to stock Pure's pet foods, and the brand has quickly become popular with customers.

Piers Smart, from Scampers, said on Twitter this week: "Our customers are loving your brilliant new dog food."

For more information visit www.purepetfood.co.uk

The UK's reputation as a nation of animal lovers has been dented by new figures that show an "alarming" increase in the number of pets being abandoned.

More than 37,000 animals were dumped across England and Wales in the past year, a rise of 9,000, or 34%, from the previous year, according to the RSPCA.

The charity received a call asking for help every 30 seconds.

Financial problems are cited as one of the reasons people are getting rid of their pets, according to the welfare organisation.

Dogs fare the worst, particularly in the summer when owners do not want to pay for them to be looked after while they are away on holiday.

Others would rather spend their money on holidays and summer "treats" rather than pay for veterinary care for newborn or ill animals.

The organisation drew up a list of the most unusual places animals have been found.

A dog was found in a duffel bag, chinchillas were discovered in a cage in a cemetery, while rabbits were rescued from a plant pot.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Ben Strangwood said: "It's bad enough when we find a box of kittens wrapped in blankets on our doorstep with a note.

"But now people are deliberately dumping their animals in out-of-the-way places - like bins, skips or on waste ground - and leaving them to die.

"The shocking fact is that even in a nation of animal lovers, there are thousands of people out there who don't care about their pets at all. In fact, some literally treat them like rubbish."

A man walked into Tesco's and asked a woman to hold his cat while he called the RSPCA – and then never returned. No, it's not a joke. It's just one of the sorry tales of pets being abandoned in the UK...

Below is an RSPCA list of the most unusual places that animals have been abandoned since May..

• A dog dumped in a duffel bag
• Chinchillas found in a cage in a cemetery
• Very young rabbits discovered in a plant pot inside a shopping bag
• A mother cat and kittens dumped in a wheelie bin
• A terrapin left in a bucket in a children’s playground

Solus Garden & Leisure, a leading supplier of water features and wild bird care products, has this week scotched rumours of major changes at the top of the business... 

The company announced it was very much focused on building for the future under the leadership of Nick Davies, Ross Yealland and the senior executive team.

“There are a number of positive changes underway at Solus Garden & Leisure, and I would like to reassure staff, customers, suppliers and business partners that I am very much at the helm as managing director of the company," said Nick Davies.

“I’m delighted that Ross Yealland has joined us as Commercial Director. Along with the senior executive team, we are both greatly looking forward to guiding and growing Solus Garden & Leisure in the future. 

"The business is in great shape and we are actively investing in new talent to take Solus forward into the future. We have a number of exciting developments in the pipeline which we will be announcing shortly, including some superb new products from our different brands.

“We have a magnificent and dedicated team of staff, all of whom are committed to making Solus the best in the business. I would like to thank them for their support and know that Solus can rely on all our people for their enthusiasm and professionalism, now and in the future.”

Nick Davies confirmed the rumours about several senior team members were leaving the company – Andy Roe (Garden Centre Independents) and Andy Abraham (National Accounts) have resigned, but are still working their notice within the business. Colin Smart has already left the business.  

"We've sadly lost three very good guys, but we're already in the process of recruiting new talent to replace them."

Solus' brands include Bermuda water gardening and Chapelwood wild bird care products.

The categories of the awards will be:

1. UK Pet Retailer of the Year
2. International Pet Retailer of the Year
3. Groomer of the Year
4. Supplier of the Year
5. Wholesaler of the Year
6. Pet Product Innovation of the Year
7. Pet Product Exporter of the Year

Entry into the awards is free of charge and entrants can submit nominations in as many of the categories as they wish. Nominations can come direct from the entrant or be submitted by another party. The application needs to provide full contact details of the entrant and stipulate which category is being entered. Applications need to include brief information on the reason for the entry and why the particular company or person qualifies for an award.  Nominations need to be emailed to Pat Flynn, PetQuip’s trade association manager at pat@petquip.com by July 29.

The entries will be judged by an independent panel of judges during August, and the winners will be announced on September 15 at the awards and party night in the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate. Tickets will include dinner, wine, and a short professional awards ceremony followed by dancing to a live band. Email pat@petquip.com for a ticket booking form.

Commenting on the awards, Pat Flynn said: “Awards are a marvellous way of raising the awareness of a product or service and creating creditability for their future success. The pet sector is a vibrant industry with many successful operators, so recognition of these in the awards ceremony promises to be one of the highlights of the year for anyone involved”. 

Gordon Thomas, of Impact Exhibitions, the organisers of PATS, said: "It's great that PetQuip has decided to stage these new awards alongside our Harrogate exhibition. PATS Harrogate promises to be a brilliant show for the industry, a fact that can only help to enhance these awards."

The ‘Sold Out’ signs have gone out at AQUA 2013 with over three months before the two-day event takes place on October 9-10.

Over 70 companies from the UK and 12 from Europe and the US have booked more stand space than in 2010 and 2011 at the UK’s premier trade show for the aquatics, water gardening and reptilian sectors. The event is being staged at the International Centre in Telford.

Show organiser Annie Dyke (above left) commented: “Despite the fact that there was no event last year, it’s extremely encouraging that the trade is obviously still fully committed to AQUA despite the tough trading conditions everyone is now facing.

“I’m happy to report that all our major exhibitors are again heading for Telford and we will be welcoming more overseas companies than ever before. They obviously regard AQUA 2013 as their major platform to showcase products to UK buyers.”

As well as discovering a whole array of new companies products, visitors can take advantage of a packed free seminar programme. There will be 20-minute presentations covering a wide range of topics affecting the whole industry.

Among the topics under discussion:

• How to get more customers from Google and other social media
• Case study of a successful retailer
• Marketing and promotion - 10 simple ideas to help drive your business forward
• Starting out in reptiles, their continuing care and welfare
• What consumers  want - trends and future insights
• Changes to the Sale of Goods Act and how these important changes will affect you.

The full list of speakers and timings is in the course of being finalised but those who have already agreed to take part are marketing consultant Davinia Hamilton-Maddox, Jeremy Gay, editor of Practical Fishkeeping, talking about aquatic trends and Dave Perry of Peregrine Live Foods discussing all things reptilian.

As well as the day time activities, AQUA 2013 again hosts a relaxing Indian Buffet Dinner on the opening evening of the show when the winners of the New Product Awards will be revealed. Invitations are free on a first-come first-served basis and places are being snapped up very quickly.  Reservations can be made via the exhibition’s dedicated website - www.aquatelford.co.uk  - where there is a full list of exhibitors.

For more information please contact Annie Dyke at OATA Impact Exhibitions Ltd on 01892 862848.

Royal Canin is rolling out its third ‘Summer of the Cat’ programme to encourage more cat owners into the specialist pet trade and keep them coming back for more. 

The focus on cats comes as cat ownership and the number of multi-cat owners continues to rise, and with two thirds still being fed via the grocery sector there is a massive opportunity for the specialist pet trade.

“Converting new customers and rewarding existing ones for their loyalty are the key objectives for ‘Summer of the Cat’, and now that we are into our third year we are adding new elements” says Royal Canin retail marketing manager Gemma Duffield. 

“It’s all about creating excitement and building awareness of what the specialist pet trade can offer, so that together we can offer more cats the benefits of health nutrition, and help retailers grow their business.”

This year’s activities include a Rescue Cat of the Year competition, store demonstration days, product and price promotions, a window display competition and merchandising package.

Rescue Cat of the Year

According to recent research by Petplan 37% of cat owners now choose their pet from a rescue centre rather than buying from breeders or pet shops, and this is an area Royal Canin has been working with for some time. 

“We are in partnership with rescues all over the country, and ‘Summer of the Cat’ 2013 will highlight their work and help build business for the specialist pet trade at the same time” Gemma comments.

Rescue Cat of the Year will see the rescue centre the winning cat came from receiving a month’s free food for 50 cats (based on 2kg of food per cat per month), while the owner themselves will win one month’s free food (2kg). 

Owners of rescue cats who received Royal Canin packs when they collected their pets from a rescue centre are eligible, and voting is via www.royalcanin.co.uk/rescuecat2013.  Voters will be rewarded with an email money-off voucher for Royal Canin’s cat range, and are limited to one vote per person.

Demo days

Creating ‘noise’ at street level is a powerful way of generating new custom, so Royal Canin is offering a special demo day pack, containing personalised advertising flyers and posters plus goody bags for consumers.  Retailers should contact their regional business manager for more information.

Powerful promotions

Retailers taking part in ‘Summer of the Cat’ will benefit from a range of promotions.  Buyers of 3.5-4kg bags from Royal Canin’s cat ranges can collect items to build a cat tower, consisting of a scratching post, a top board with toys attached, and a cat tunnel.  “The aim is to create repeat purchase on these medium sized bags” Gemma says “so that retailers can build a bond with customers while the consumer is getting a great reward.”

Wet food will be on a 69p per sachet trial price offer, and a 400g trial price stand is also available.  10kg bags will contain 2kg extra and 2kg will contain 400g extra, again giving real benefits to loyal customers and driving trial.

Wake up your windows!

As in previous years, there will be a retailer display competition, judged on impact, creativity and effect on sales.  All retailers taking part will need to keep their ‘Summer of the Cat’ displays in place for a minimum of four weeks to enable a ‘mystery shopper’ to visit.  14 regional winners will receive an iPad mini, and the top three national winners will receive bonus bond vouchers to use at a range of high street stores.

mycat app

Royal Canin has joined forces with Petlog, Bayer and Fetch Digital in the new mycat app.  Available free on iPhone for a limited period to celebrate ‘Summer of the Cat’ it features a Lost Cat Alert to help reunite lost cats with their owners; a unique directory of cat friendly businesses; a guide to cat health; and Cattitude!, revealing the mysterious world of cats.

In summing up, Gemma said: “We believe ‘Summer of the Cat’ 2013 will be the best one yet.  We’ve developed the idea even more and focused on creating really targeted activities which will deliver new customers and create a relationship with them to ensure they become long-term customers for our specialist pet trade partners, as well as rewarding current Royal Canin customers for their loyalty.”

For more information about ‘Summer of the Cat’ 2013, contact your Royal Canin retail business manager, call 0845 606 9980, or visit www.royalcanin.co.uk

New HiLife Spoil Me!, Town & Country Petfood’s ultra premium pouch dog food, is now available in multipacks. 

HiLife Spoil Me! is a range of natural, ultra-premium recipes created specifically with smaller dogs in mind. 

There is a choice of two 6x100g pouch multipacks: the Classic Collection Cooked in Broth and the Succulent Selection Set in Jelly.  The Classic Collection offers Chicken with Beef, Rice, Beans, Carrot and Peas or Chicken with Tuna, Rice, Beans, Carrots & Peas. 

The Succulent Section offers a choice of Flaked Chicken with Beef or Flaked Chicken with Vegetables.

The Co-operative Pet Insurance is offering a 25 per cent discount on all pet insurance policies purchased online before October 31st 2013.

The Co-op is attempting to encourage owners to take extra care with their animals’ health over the summer months and warns that as the temperature rises so do the number of potential issues your pet could face.

Lee Mooney, Head of Pet Insurance at The Co-operative Insurance, said: "In Summer, like humans, animals are more active which can increase the risk of injury and are also more susceptible to allergies, such as hayfever which can require medical treatment.

"Keeping pets safe in the sun is extremely important for their health and wellbeing. Like humans, animals need to be given access to cool, shady environments and kept well hydrated throughout the year, but especially when temperatures are high."

The Co-operative Pet Insurance has issued some top tips for looking after pets in the summer months:

• Never leave your pet in the car - if you need to nip to the shops, leave your pet at home as the heat in enclosed spaces such as cars can quickly become stifling and dangerous
• Ensure that your pet has adequate water supplies - place bowls of water throughout the house and take a bottle of water and bowl with you when you take your pet for a walk
• Keep food fresh - in warmer weather bacteria on food grows more quickly so ensure that your pets' food bowl is washed and replenished regularly
• Walk pets in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are generally lower
• Groom your pet regularly, this will not only decrease the likelihood of them carrying ticks and fleas but will also cool them down
• Check labels on weed killers and insecticides as many can be harmful to household pets if not used in a controlled manner
• Keep an eye on your pet - they can suffer from hayfever too so look out for the following symptoms; scratching or biting body, licking paws, rubbing face on furniture and sneezing.

Pet accessories expert Ancol has launched its 2013/14 trade catalogue wiith more new and improved products than ever before.

Sarah Lane, sales director at Ancol, says: “We are delighted to launch our latest catalogue, which features even more new and exciting products for cats, dogs and small animals.

"This year we’ve extended our range of products for smaller dogs as we recognise that this is a growing market.

"Check out our new range of Small Bite collars and leads, which are perfect for puppies and smaller dogs and the great additions to our Small Bite toy range.”

Other new products within the catalogue include the Indulgence Fashion collection of collars and leads, Riviera and Tartan bed ranges, additional shampoo and cologne fragrances, new toys including plush corduroy characters, rubber and rope tuggers plus much more.

The winner of Ancol's Dog Model Competition, Monty, is featured on the front cover, and other finalists can be found modeling throughout the catalogue.

To request a catalogue call 01922 402428, email sales@ancol.co.uk or ask your local sales representative.

Scotland’s commitment to a compulsory microchipping consultation brings Petlog’s 10th National Microchipping Month to an end on a high.   

Pet owners have been taking advantage of reduced price microchipping and updating their contact details with their microchip databases throughout June.

The response to National Microchipping Month has been overwhelming and sponsors Petlog has seen one of the busiest years since the campaign began.

Now, the news that the Scottish Government will be consulting on compulsory microchipping for dogs by the end of the year brings a welcome close to a successful month. 
       
Petlog executive Celia Walsom strongly supports compulsory microchipping and is enthusiastic about the benefits to society with a nation of microchipped pets.

“It was announced earlier this year that both England and Wales are to introduce compulsory microchipping for dogs," she said.

"This, combined with the news Scotland is to host a consultation on compulsory microchipping, is great news for dogs.

"Each year thousands of dogs go missing and many can never be reunited as they do not have a permanent form of identification. A microchip helps reunite a dog and owner no matter how far away they find themselves or how long they have been missing.       

“Compulsory microchipping is also great news for welfare organisations, dog wardens and veterinary surgeries; if all lost pets that came to them were microchipped, it would save time and money as they could quickly reunite, instead of having to kennel and rehome.”

At the annual BVA Scottish Dinner in Holyrood guest speaker Richard Lochhead said that the Scottish Government would be consulting on it by the end of the year. This follows the announcement that microchipping for dogs will be compulsory for dogs in England by April 2016 and in Wales by April 2015.

Earlier this month, the Kennel Club, which manages Petlog, hosted a House of Commons debate to discuss the implications of compulsory microchipping in England The debate attracted a range of stakeholders, MPs and ministers.     
    
Petlog, the UK’s largest database for lost and found pets, aims to educate pet owners around the country and encourage them to engage with their vets and microchip databases to learn more about microchipping and how it directly affects them and their pet. 

Burgess Excel has agreed to sponsor The Small Animal Area at the The Pet Show on July 20-21.

The partnership will see Burgess featured prominently at The Hutch, a dedicated area at The Pet Show seeking to celebrate all manner of small animals - from rabbits and guinea pigs to chinchillas and micro pigs!

The show, which is to be held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, is set to be the UK’s largest multi-pet event, with more pets and exhibitors present than at any similar pet event.

Burgess Excel is the UK’s Number One Veterinary Recommended range of food for rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas, specially developed with small animal nutritionists and experts for complete dental, digestive and emotional health.

Burgess is also the producer of Burgess Sensitive Premium Hypoallergenic food for dogs and cats. The range is great for all dogs and cats, but is particularly suited to those with sensitive digestive systems. The recipes are free from the usual ingredients that can cause an upset stomach, and free from the high price of other hypoallergenic foods.

Ian Sear, The Pet Show director commented: ‘the new partnership with Burgess Pet Care, ahead of the show, puts many of The Pet Shows’ values into firmer focus. We are dedicated to celebrating happy and healthy pets and to help owners understand just how well looked after they should be with some of the products on the market.’

‘We’ll be celebrating those values in a variety of ways at the show, with one of them being to partner with top quality producers of pet products, like Burgess Pet Care, who really have the animal’s needs at the heart of everything they do. We’re delighted that they have decided to enhance their presence at the show by sponsoring our small animal area. 

At the show you can visit the Burgess Excel stand C54, to find out more about their products. You can also collect a free sample of food to take home to your furry friend. Burgess will also be running an activity square in the small animal area where you can get involved with a range of activities, including the chance to make your very own willow ball for your rabbit or guinea pig.

Beaphar UK has appointed Charlotte Colucci as Marketing Communications Executive with responsibility for promoting the company’s portfolio of cat, dog, small animal, bird and fish products.. She will be based at the company's site in Haverhill, Suffolk.

“I am excited to start a new challenge at Beaphar and thrilled to have found a job that combines my experience in the healthcare sector with a love of animals," said Charlotte.

"Beaphar is an exciting, innovative brand and because it is still family owned, I really feel like I will be able to make a positive impact in this role."

Charlotte joins Beaphar UK with a wealth of experience in the healthcare manufacturing sector, having held several marketing roles in both the UK and abroad.

She combines her recent experience working on a communication project about stem cells with a variety of marketing roles, covering communication and new product development.

“Charlotte’s extensive experience in the healthcare sector combined with her understanding of how to market health and care products is a tremendous addition to the company and will be a valuable resource for our customers," said Amy Hepworth, Beaphar UK's Marketing Manager.

For information on the Beaphar product range visit www.beaphar.co.uk